Philosophy of OT

Philosophy of OT

• Ontology: what is most real for occupational therapy?

• Epistemology: what is knowledge in OT?

• Axiology: what is the right action in OT?

Philosophical Framework: Terms

Ontology of OT

What is most real for OT

Occupation

• In 1961 Mary Reilly said…

  • "The logic of OT rests upon the principle that man has a need to master his environment, to alter & improve it…

  • Failure to spend & use what he has in the performance of the tasks that belong to his role in life makes him less human than he could be

  • She offered a hypothesis for the profession of OT

  • "that man through the use of his hands as energized by mind & will can influence the state of his own health"

• Occupation is a biological need for humans

• Occupation Changes people

• More recently in 2019, Hooper & Wood stated the following…

  • "A core philosophical assumption of the profession, therefore, is that

  • By virtue of our biological endowment, people of all ages and abilities require occupation to grow & thrive;

  • In pursuing occupation, humans express the totality of their being, a mind-body-spirit union. Because human existence could not otherwise be, humankind is, in essence, occupational by nature."

Humans are Occupational Beings

• People have innate biological need for occupation

• Occupations allow people to meet needs to survive, grow, develop, attain/maintain health & well-being, to thrive and to belong

• We must consider humans as indivisible whole beings, mind, body, & spirit are connected

Humans & Contexts are Interconnected

• To understand people, you must understand their contexts

• You can't separate a person from the context

Nature of Transformation & Health

• As people who are connected to their contexts enact their biological need for occupation, they continuously change

  • Changes can be wither large & small

  • Changes can be "positive" or "negative" in terms of impact on person & context

  • Engaging in occupations changes people

• Health in OT is the ability to engage in valued occupations rather than the absence of disease or pathology

Epistemology: OT Knowledge

1. Knowledge of occupation is primary

2. Knowledge about occupation organizes & integrates all other knowledge

3. Knowledge about occupation clarifies desired consequences of action

4. Knowledge is integrated with knowledge about practice situations (context)

5. Knowledge is tentative, fluid, & contingent with practice moment

Axiology

• Collaborative practice

• Occupation-centered, occupation-based, and occupation focused practice

• Contexts in practice: clients & environments as a whole

• Respect for

  • All people have worth & dignity by virtue of their humanity

  • Perspectives of people & subjective experiences

  • Empathy, caring, & genuine engagement in therapeutic encounters

  • Use of imagination & integrity in creating opportunities

  • Inherent potential of people to experience well-being